Authorities yet to determine where Tuscaloosa man who confessed to killing his roommate will be prosecuted

Monday

May 12, 2014 at 2:00 PMMay 12, 2014 at 6:46 PM

Authorities haven't determined where a Tuscaloosa man will face murder charges in the death of his roommate. Teon Graham, 21, confessed to killing his roommate in Atlanta and dumping his body in West Blocton last week. He then fled to Houma, La., where local authorities arrested him after receiving an anonymous tip.

By Stephanie TaylorStaff Writer

Authorities haven't determined where a Tuscaloosa man will face murder charges in the death of his roommate.

Teon Graham, 21, confessed to killing his roommate in Atlanta and dumping his body in West Blocton last week. He then fled to Houma, La., where local authorities arrested him after receiving an anonymous tip.

Graham confessed to the killing and told deputies that he had dumped the body behind the old Continental Club in West Blocton, according to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office.

West Blocton police followed up and found the body of Tion Casterman wrapped in blankets.

Bibb County District Attorney Michael Jackson said Monday that it is unclear whether Graham will be prosecuted in Alabama or Georgia.

“That's yet to be determined,” he said. Investigators know that the two men had argued before the killing, he said, but authorities are still working to piece together details and a timeline

The deputies in Louisiana searched the car Graham was driving and found physical evidence of the crime, according to the Houma Today newspaper. Graham confessed to shooting Casterman in the back of the head, the paper reported.

Graham had not yet been charged with murder as of Monday. He was being held on an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in Tuscaloosa County Community Corrections.

Graham pleaded guilty last summer to beating a Tuscaloosa man and stealing his bag and phone. Under the plea agreement, he was ordered to participate in a pre-trial diversion program and remain under the supervision of Tuscaloosa County Community Corrections for three years. Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Chuck Malone signed a warrant for Graham's arrest on Feb. 7, after community corrections officers reported that he violated the sentencing order by not reporting to them in January.

Graham was released from the Tuscaloosa County Jail in July 2013, after serving a year, two months and a week on the robbery charge.

According to court records, Graham asked the victim to give him a ride to his aunt's house. While in the vehicle, he sent text messages to friends and arranged the robbery. Graham and three other men beat the victim, breaking his nose and other bones in his face before stealing his bag and a cellphone.